Department of Biochemistry

The Department of Biochemistry was established in 1965 as Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Initially, the thrust was to enhance the awareness of masses about the use of quality foods, through short courses, lectures and film shows in Applied Human Nutrition Programme and was then modified to suit the future teaching and research priorities. Very strong research groups were established to work on research projects on carbohydrates, lipids, protein, polyphenols and rumen biochemistry and infrastructure for teaching and research in Biochemistry was created. The department was separated from Chemistry in 1971. The department has well qualified faculty with basic background in agriculture and basic sciences. Currently the department offers both M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in Biochemistry. The department is also offering undergraduate courses to the B.Sc. students of the College of Agriculture and Home Science.

So far, more than 600 M.Sc. and 150 Ph.D. students have been awarded degrees and are working in different areas ranging from academics and administration to defense services. Many of them are holding coveted positions both in India and abroad and brought laurels for this Department. The faculty has bagged prestigious awards and recognitions like Fellowships of Indian National Science Academy (FNA),, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), M I Biol (London), International Scientific Exchange Award, Canada, WIMCO-SUNSIP Award, Nestle Food Scientist Award, German Academic Exchange Fellowship, DANIDA Fellowship and Hinduja Cambridge Fellowship. The Department has Local Chapters of Society of Biological Chemists, Bangalore and Society of Agricultural Biochemists, Kanpur. These societies and Alumni Association of the department holds lectures of eminent scientists and symposiums for scientific discussion among the scientists and students.

The Departmental Library caters to the needs of students as well as the teachers. The department has published about 1500 research papers in journals of National and International repute besides publishing books.

The Department has State of the Art Molecular Biology Laboratory equipped with sophisticated instruments like 2-D Electrophoresis, HPLC, Ultracentrifuge, Gel Documentation System, PCR, Biophotometer, Lyophilizer, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Hybridization Oven, FTIR, GLC, TLC radio analyzer, Scintillation Counter to work on the biochemical and molecular aspects of tolerance to various types of abiotic and biotic stresses.